IG: FEMA’s technology ineffective for disasters

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s existing information technology systems does not support disaster response activities effectively, according to a critical report from Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General.

The report also found FEMA’s CIO “does not have an adequate understanding” of existing information technology resources and needs throughout the agency.

As a result, the “systems are not integrated, do not meet user requirements, and do not provide the information technology capabilities agency personnel and its external partners need to carry out disaster response and recovery operations in a timely or effective manner.”

The Office of the Inspector General listed six recommendations, including developing a comprehensive IT strategic plan, establishing an agency-wide IT budget planning process, and putting together a consolidated modernization approach for FEMA’s mission-critical systems.